Bright Lights, Big City

It isn't that I don't enjoy seeing new things, eating fine food, and hearing great performers and wonderful music!  All that is great!

But the older I get, the less it's worth the trade-off of enduring the traffic, and not sleeping in my own bed.  This is truly humbling for me, since I hoped to become one of those feisty old ladies who are up for a challenge and will still grin and bear it.

Just so we're clear, all the cultural events were great fun, and beautifully done.  We skipped the White Sox game.  Maybe because the weather was drizzly, maybe because annie was cranky...

The Apollo Theatre is located a hairsbredth from the El tracks and parking is below the tracks.  The theatre must have the most amazing soundproofing system!
For the curious: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Theater_Chicago

We saw Million Dollar Quartet, currently on Broadway, too.   There exists a poster, a picture taken at Sun Studios in Memphis of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley.  The play is based on this "event" and jam session.  In our play the guy who played Carl Perkins was an amazing guitarist, and I didn't think anyone could be a convincing Jerry Lee Lewis!  But he was Pretty Good!!!

And then, as they say on Monty Python, for something completely different, we had the Chicago Symphony, Patti Lupone, Audra McDonald, and two fine baritones perfoming Stephen Sondheim's music last night.  It was great, but short.  Everyone has their favorite Sondheim songs---and he's been writing music for about 50 years, so chances are they aren't going to sing your favorite one.  Live with it.

One of the truly wonderful things about a visit to the city for me is the chance to people watch.  Except on the roads and in the traffic.  But there are interesting folks in restaurants, theatres, parks, hotel lobbies, ball games, etc. etc. etc.  

Our hotel has hosted wedding guests and wedding parties and receptions two of the nights that we've been here.  All the beautiful people duded up in the very best finery.  That is fun to see, too.

Home we go today, God willing----she said superstitiously.  (I've been reading Huck Finn;  it's loaded with portents, signs, and omens on every side.  The best laugh in a long time.)

I hope you've had a lovely weekend.